49 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING FROM MONDAY 7TH OF APRIL TO TUESDAY 27TH OF MAY 2025 (PART 3)

Robert Clancy
May 4
76 min read

49 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING FROM MONDAY 7TH OF APRIL TO TUESDAY 27TH OF MAY 2025 (PART 3)

THEME “PROPHETIC BLESSING AND FULFILMENT”

SCRIPTURE TEXT: Genesis 49:1 (AMP) "Then Jacob called for his sons and said, “Assemble yourselves [around me] that I may tell you what will happen to you and your descendants [a]in the days to come."

Saints Welcome to Part 3 of the 49 Day Fasting Program, due to the length of these in-depth teachings I have had to divide them. Now for those that want to go to the first 20 Days with the introduction and fasting instructions just click on this link https://www.repentancerevival.com/single-post/49-days-of-prayer-fasting-from-monday-7th-of-april-to-tuesday-27th-of-may-2025

Part 2 Day 21 to Day 38 - https://www.repentancerevival.com/single-post/49-days-of-prayer-fasting-from-monday-7th-of-april-to-tuesday-27th-of-may-2025-part-2

Day 39, the 15th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 39

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Meanwhile, in Egypt, God protects Joseph and even causes him to prosper in this foreign land. Joseph wins favour wherever he goes, although he also attracts unwanted attention. However, even the accusation against Joseph and his imprisonment ends up being part of God’s plan—another example of how God demonstrates his faithfulness even in the midst of unfavourable circumstances.

During the Middle Kingdom Age when Joseph went to Egypt, it was a powerful and unified land, a land of peace, effective government, and general prosperity. It was a confident, powerful people who welcomed the little Hebrew family to Egypt, their haven of safety.

JOSEPH IN POTIPHAR’S HOUSE (39:1-6a):

After Joseph’s brothers sold him, he was brought to Egypt and sold again to a man named Potiphar, an officer of Pharoah.

Joseph served Potiphar faithfully. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh. This Pharaoh was probably Sesostris II (1897-1879 B.C.).

Potiphar saw that the Lord was with Joseph, and he made him the overseer of his house and all his possessions.

The Lord blessed Potiphar’s house because of Joseph. [Both Joseph and Daniel rose to responsibility from their merit and character; both were the only two people (other than Christ) of whom no evil is spoken of.]

POTIPHAR’S WIFE LIES ABOUT JOSEPH (39:6b-20):

The text tells us Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.

Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph, but he refused her advances.

He told her he would not break Potiphar’s trust. God tested Joseph with Potiphar’s wife to see if he was obedient. When she tempted handsome Joseph, he refused to go to bed with her for that would be a sin against both God and his master. If one is to fulfill God’s plan, he cannot sin against the God who will bring it about.

She tried repeatedly to seduce him, but he continued to refuse.

One day, when Joseph was in the house with her alone, she grabbed his garment and insisted he sleep with her.

Joseph ran out of the house but left his garment behind. This was the second time Joseph’s clothing was used to bring a false report about him (cf. 37:31-33). In both cases he had been serving faithfully; but in both cases Joseph ended up in bondage.

Potiphar’s wife lied to her husband and told him Joseph tried to seduce her but fled without his garment when she cried out for help.

Potiphar was furious at Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were jailed. The circumstantial evidence was strongly incriminating. Potiphar was enraged. However, in spite of the seriousness of the charge, he evidently had some question in his mind about Joseph’s guilt, for he did not kill him. Instead, he hurried him off to the prison (the “Round House”). This prison was probably a famous round tower or dungeon where prisoners connected with official life were housed. The Hebrew sohar, prison, may be an attempt to translate an Egyptian word.

JOSEPH IN PRISON (39:21-23):

“But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”

Joseph was put in charge of all the daily tasks of the prison and the keeper of the prison trusted him so much he didn’t even check on his work.

Whatever Joseph did, the Lord caused it to succeed. This chapter shows that Joseph was a faithful servant of God. With the dreams of prosperity in his memory he remained loyal to God rather than yield to temptation at the first glimpse of his rise to power. Wise rulers recognize that allegiance to God is the first requirement of an ideal king. Israel too would learn that she should remain faithful to the Lord despite the consequences, which included the suffering of the righteous.

This story is like the advice given frequently in Proverbs by King Solomon. It is folly to yield to the temptations of a flattering woman or man and ruin all prospects of a life of service to God. The way of wisdom is to consider the cost of sin. Joseph did not yield to temptation because he was convinced God had something marvellous for him to do. Joseph would not throw away God’s blessings for the pleasures of sin. Nor was he troubled because he suffered for his faithfulness. God would ultimately honour him as He had promised. But he would have to wait 13 years…

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Being a servant of God doesn’t always mean you get immediate justice, but it does mean you will never be separated from the love of God.

Joseph was thrown into prison for doing the right thing and he wasn’t immediately vindicated.

But the text tells us God “showed him steadfast love” while he was in prison.

Being in God’s love doesn’t mean you will never be treated unfairly, it means God will never forsake you, even when you are mistreated by a sinful world.

Reflect on an area of your life where the pain is deep and solutions seem invisible. Ask Him to replace your limited vision and understanding with His vision for this situation. Write down or memorize Romans 5:3-5: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

You and I would have learnt one or two things from this short picture of Joseph. However, some of the noticeable lessons are:

1. Having a deep thought on the step you want to take, “he did not attempt to escape”,

2.. Try to discover yourself,

3. Learn to know the tenets of your God,

4. In time of convenience and when it is not convenient, follow and or practise the tenets of God,

5. Practicing your tenets may lead you into troubles, but if your conscience is clear, be very happy for that,

6. Take time to study or notice your servants or children or wife/hubby,

7. Etc

Above all, we will discover that it may not be easy to flee sin as Joseph did here if we do not have Jesus Christ in us, this is because the means of entrance of sin now differs from this means… There is advanced means of sinning now, there is technologically advanced methods of sinning, but, when one has Jesus in his /her life, he will see the person through. Therefore, I want to beseech thee that you give the thought of having Jesus in you a high consideration and accept Him into your life, so that he will assist thee to overcome the flesh that was against your spirit pulling you down every day.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Psalm 27:14 says: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” You are worth waiting for, Lord God. You are worthy of our trust. Forgive us, Lord, when, in our suffering, we lose sight that You are always with Your children. Forgive us, when like Potiphar’s wife, we choose to blame others for our sin. Thank you, Lord, that You are always present with us – in our most desperate moments, in our deepest disappointments. Thank you for Your tender daily provisions during our suffering.

Amid the bad things and injustices of this world, help Your Church, O Lord, to wait with unwavering faith in Your full deliverance – the final defeat of sin, suffering and death. Your ultimate victory remains certain. Deepen our faith as we wait and worship You. Father, help us to see where our sin is hurting others. Just as Joseph ran from Potiphar’s wife, help us to avoid volatile and tempting situations and to seek safe distance from evil. O Lord, allow my suffering and my unanswered questions to propel me toward You! Tenderize my heart. I yield my disappointments and pain to You; You know and love me best. Lord heal all today and draw them closer to You this I ask all in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 40, the 16th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 40

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Joseph is known as a dreamer and an interpreter of dreams, and this becomes his path to freedom from prison. Gaining the trust of the fellow prisoners in his charge, Joseph predicts what will happen to them in the future.

PHARAOH’S CUPBEARER (BUTLER) AND BAKER (40:1-8):

Sometime after Joseph was thrown into prison, the chief cupbearer (butler) and chief baker committed an offense against the king of Egypt and were put in prison. The butler (mashgeh), or drink-giver, was a valued member of Pharaoh’s household. In Neh 1:11 the word is translated “cupbearer.” Nehemiah, who bore that title, was a trusted official in the palace of the Persian monarch. The baker (opeh) was the superintendent of the bakery, responsible for seeing to it that the monarch’s food was safe and palatable. These two high officials in the royal household had offended Pharaoh. Pending investigation, they were confined in the same prison to which Joseph had been committed. These would also “tasters” to assure the absence of poison, etc.

The keeper of the prison appointed Joseph to attend to them.

One night, they both dreamed dreams and were troubled because they didn’t know how to interpret them.

Joseph told them God was the interpreter of dreams, and he asked them to recount their dreams to him. That Joseph did not lose faith in God’s promise is proved by his willingness to interpret dreams. He was still convinced that God’s revelation in his two previous dreams would be fulfilled; now he was confronted with two more opportunities.

THE CUPBEARER’S DREAM AND ITS INTERPRETATION (40:9-15):

The chief cupbearer dreamed about a vine with three branches. The vine bloomed and clusters of grapes grew on it.

The cupbearer was standing nearby with Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, so he filled it with juice, and gave it to Pharaoh.

Joseph gave him the interpretation of the dream.

In three days, the cupbearer would be released from prison and reinstated to his role as Pharaoh’s cupbearer. The dream of the three vine branches of ripening grapes signified that Pharaoh would lift up the head of this man, that is, restore him to service within 3 days. [“Three days” occurs frequently in Scripture: the trek to Mt. Moriah; Jonah in the great fish; Jesus in the tomb, etc.]

Joseph asked the cupbearer to mention him to Pharaoh so he could be let out of prison. To this, Joseph added the request that the man remember him and seek his release from prison. (But 2 years will elapse…)

THE BAKER’S DREAM AND ITS INTERPRETATION (40:16-19):

When the baker heard the interpretation of the cupbearer’s dream, he was eager for Joseph to interpret his.

He told Joseph he dreamed of three cake baskets on his head. In the top basket there were baked goods prepared for Pharaoh, but birds came and started eating the food.

Joseph told him the three baskets represented three days.

In three days, Pharaoh would hang the baker on a tree and the birds would come to eat his flesh. The language of Joseph describes minutely one form of capital punishment that prevailed in Egypt; namely, that the criminal was decapitated and then his headless body gibbeted on a tree by the highway till it was gradually devoured by the ravenous birds.

THE FATE OF THE CUPBEARER AND THE BAKER (40:20-23):

Three days later, Pharaoh celebrated his birthday with a feast.

He summoned the cupbearer and baker from the prison, gave the cupbearer his job back, and hanged the baker. Three days later, on Pharaoh’s birthday, the chief cupbearer is restored to favour, and the chief baker is hanged, just as Joseph had said. However, though the cupbearer had promised to speak to Pharaoh on Joseph’s behalf, he forgets.

Because chief cupbearer forgot to mention Joseph to Pharaoh, and he remained in prison. Yet the significant fact for Joseph was that he was correctly interpreting dreams. He did not misunderstand God’s revelations to him by dreams. He might not have understood his imprisonment, but he was encouraged in his faith. However, the cupbearer forgot him, but God did not. In this hope Joseph had a persistent faith. His faith was not destroyed by his circumstances.

Bread and Wine: First mentioned as Melchizedek administers to Abraham (Gen 14); the Baker and Wine Steward (Gen 40); The Lord’s Last Supper (Mtt 26); and Communion (1 Cor 11).

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Ingratitude is a terrible sin.

An ungrateful heart is not a godly heart.

It’s hard to believe the cupbearer forgot about Joseph, but have their been times in your life when you forgot about those who helped you during your times of trouble?

Have you been ungrateful to the people who raised you? Those who have poured so much of their time into you. Those who loved you at your lowest?

An ungrateful person will never understand the Bible, because an ungrateful person will never appreciate God’s greatest gift, Jesus!

As we can see from this chapter the situation changed for the chief butler the man did not remember Joseph, the euphoria of his freedom made him forgot, and may be the fear not to grieve the king made him forgot, maybe even Potiphar influenced him to forget…, whatever came on him came on him and that thing made him forget Joseph.

I know we have seen one or two things from this pictorial none the less let me itemize one or two things that also come to my mind before listing out some words of prayer

1. In as much as we cannot re-write the past, we should learn to grow over it,

2. Pushing the past to our subconsciousness will assist us to move forward,

3. Laying hold to the pasts will keep us static,

4. When we get to new place, we should try and be familiar with that place and persons,

5. When we do things as believers, people will soon notice and give us added responsibilities,

6. God knows how to bless us through that talent that He has given us,

7. We cannot know all about a friend/a person in a day,

8. Make the most use of the presenting opportunities to us,

9. We can meet our helpers any where

10. Any occasion can bring us together with our helpers,

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, forgive us, Lord, as we thank You Father, Keep the eyes of my heart looking to Jesus. Lord thank you for this new day and grace of life in Jesus’ name. Lord, I pray for the grace not to dwell on the terrible mistakes of the past and bring me a bright future now in Jesus’ name. Lord let my gift and talent have an occasion to make a way for Your name’s sake in Jesus’ name. Lord let my talents start fetching me income to glorify Your name in Jesus’ name. The needed grace to live/measure up to Your standard in this lost world please give it to me in Jesus’ name. Lord make all things work together for my good and Your glory and even cause an incident that will help bring my divine helpers and I together let it happen in Your timing in Jesus’ name. Lord give me the grace to be focused on You and You alone in Jesus’ name. Lord do not let me waste the presenting opportunity to me in my life today in Jesus’ name. Lord I pray for any opportunity that I may have wasted or lost, oh Lord, redeem them for me today now in Jesus’ name. Lord bring back unto me my wasted opportunities in a new format in Jesus’ name. Lord arise oh Lord to save me out of the worldly prison that the enemies have put me in Jesus’ name. Lord intervene on my case before the jury of the world (physical/spiritual) in Jesus’ name. Lord open my closed files before the jury in the heavenly courts in Jesus’ name. Lord, please discharge and acquit me before both the heavenly and worldly jurists oh Lord in Jesus name. Lord remove everything stalling the progress of my case in Jesus’ name. Tenderize my heart. I yield my disappointments and pain to You; You know and love me best. Lord heal all today and draw them closer to You this I ask all in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 41, the 17th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 41

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

More time passes, and Pharaoh’s cupbearer finally remembers what Joseph did for him. The cupbearer’s remembrance of Joseph is another example of God “remembering” a person by acting on their behalf, even after a long time and in unlikely circumstances. Because of this, Joseph now has a chance to gain Pharaoh’s favor and his own freedom.

PHARAOH’S DREAMS (41:1-8):

Two years after the chief cupbearer and chief baker’s dreams were fulfilled, Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, dreamed two dreams.

When he awoke, he was troubled and called his magicians and wise men to interpret the dreams, but they couldn’t. Pharaoh’s two dreams caused him great distress, especially since none of the wise men of Egypt could explain them. God used an Israelite slave to confound the wisdom of Egypt. (Later in the days of Moses another Pharaoh would be at the mercy of God’s power.)

The magicians (hòartummým) belonged to a guild expert in handling the ritual books of occult and priestcraft. However, they could not interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. A later guild of wise men in Babylon also would be unable to interpret a king’s dream, and God would use another Hebrew slave, Daniel, to show that no matter how powerful a nation might be, it is still not beyond God’s sovereign control.

Now that Joseph has gained Pharaoh’s favor and his own freedom, he is placed in a position of influence from which he can benefit many others. He uses the knowledge gained from Pharaoh’s dreams to wisely prepare for future disaster, showing that his wisdom is pragmatic and not just a matter of symbolic dreams.

JOSEPH IS SUMMONED BY PHARAOH (41:9-14):

The chief cupbearer approached Pharaoh and told him about the Hebrew boy who had interpreted his dream in prison.

Pharaoh summoned Joseph.

Joseph quickly shaved and changed clothes before meeting Pharaoh.

JOSEPH INTERPRETS PHARAOH’S DREAMS (41:15-36):

Pharaoh told Joseph he heard he could interpret dreams, but Joseph told Pharaoh it was God who would provide the interpretation, not him.

Pharaoh recounted his 2 dreams to Joseph. Yet when Joseph stood before Pharaoh (shaved, as was the Egyptiancustom, and in a fresh change of clothes) he declared that the interpretation was with God alone.

In the first dream, 7 healthy cows came up out of the Nile River, followed by 7 skinny and ugly cows.

The 7 skinny cows at the 7 healthy cows but remained just as skinny as before.

In Pharaoh’s second dream, 7 healthy ears of grain grew from one stock, but they were joined by 7 ugly ears of grain that were “blighted by the east wind.”

The 7 ugly ears of grain swallowed up the 7 healthy ears.

Joseph told Pharaoh God had revealed the interpretation to him. Joseph explained that because the dream came in two versions it signified that it was of God and would be carried out soon. During God’s dealings with him several things must have been on Joseph’s mind: his own two dreams, his two imprisonments (37:36; 39:20), the two dreamers in prison, and now Pharaoh’s two dreams.

Pharaoh’s similar dreams shared the same interpretation.

The 7 healthy cows and the 7 healthy ears of grain symbolized 7 years of abundance.

The 7 skinny cows and the 7 withered ears of grain symbolized 7 years of famine.

Egypt would experience 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of severe famine.

Joseph encouraged Pharaoh to appoint a wise man to store up food during the 7 years of abundance so the nation would not starve during the 7 years of famine. Yes the wise man who would oversee storing 20 percent of the grain during each of the years of plenty for the coming years of famine. Wisely planning ahead is a basic principle of practical living.

JOSEPH IS PROMOTED TO POWER (41:37-46):

Pharaoh decided Joseph was the man he needed for the job. Joseph had been faithful over all the little things God sent him; now he would become ruler over all the land of Egypt under Pharaoh.

He made Joseph the second most powerful man in the land of Egypt. The challenging words of Mordecai to Esther might well have been spoken to Joseph: “Who knows whether you have been called to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Est 4:4).

Joseph was given a wife and a new name, Zaphenath-paneah. Zaphnathpaaneah, in the Coptic, according to some scholars = “A revealer of secrets,” or, “The man to whom secrets are revealed.” As a token of Joseph’s new status, Pharaoh gave him a wife, Asenath, from the priestly family of On (a city which was a centre of sun worship 7 miles north of Cairo and also known as Heliopolis).

Joseph was 30 years old when he was honoured by Pharaoh. From the prison to the palace in one day! Joseph was 30 at the time of his instalment, 13 years after he was sold by his brothers (cf. 37:2). Joseph’s position gave him opportunity to travel extensively across Egypt.

7 YEARS OF ABUNDANCE (41:47-52):

During the 7 years of abundance Joseph gathered grain in storehouses.

Psalm 105:16-22 speaks of Joseph’s imprisonment, release, and rise to power…

The year before the famine Joseph had 2 sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. In the meantime, Joseph has two sons, whom he names Manasseh (because God has made him forget his hardship) and Ephraim (because God has made him fruitful). Eventually, as Joseph had foreseen, famine comes to Egypt, yet because of Joseph, there’s enough bread for everyone. In fact, people start traveling to Egypt from other countries, seeking to buy grain.

THE BEGINNING OF FAMINE (41:53-57):

At the end of the 7 years of abundance, the famine began.

The Egyptians and those from surrounding nations came to Joseph to buy food. Despite his success, he did not abandon his Israelite heritage. He gave his two sons characteristically Hebrew names. Manasseh (forget) signified that God had made him forget the misery of his separation from his family. Ephraim (fruitful) signified that God had made him fruitful in the land of Egypt.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Joseph proceeded confidently into a task that required God’s help to succeed.

When Pharaoh asked Joseph if he could interpret dreams, Joseph confidently replied that God would give him the interpretation.

He stated it positively and without qualifiers.

He did not doubt that God would help him because he was returning the glory to God.

Is our faith ambitions enough to undertake a task that necessitates God’s help? Or do we only undertake work we are confident our personal skillset can complete?

Instead of falling into the grip of anger, bitterness and hopelessness in our families and communities when others hurt us, help us to process our pain with God-given wisdom and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Saints’ storybook resolutions do not always happen, but God is always faithful.” Take time to reflect on past hard times in your life. Write down ways God extended His mercy to you in those hard seasons. Acknowledge and thank Him for the growth He was able to accomplish in your heart.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness and provision in my life. Thank You for the example of Joseph, who trusted you through the many difficulties and trials he faced, demonstrating the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit in his life, even when he did not understand. I pray that You would use me in the same way, and like Joseph, I would show similar courage and humility in the work you have given me to do. I pray that Your plans and purposes may be carried out in my life, as it was in the life of Joseph, for Your honour and glory. Help me to be patient and to trust in You, even when the road ahead is uncertain. Give me the grace to accept the challenges that come my way, and the courage to face them with faith and confidence. Guide me in all my decisions and give me the wisdom to make choices that are pleasing to You so that my life may be a reflection of Your love and grace.

We praise You, Lord, for Your goodness and compassion. You offer hope, refuge and care to all who come to You. You promise to make all things work together for our good. You were equally good to Joseph in prison as You were to Joseph in the palace. You are equally good to us in our hardest days as well as our best days.

Forgive us, God, when we fail to grasp Your control of the future and are tossed by the waves of cultural thinking. Forgive us when we anchor our security in other things besides You and Your Word. Thank you, Lord, that You never leave or forsake us, that Your promises remain unchanged, and Your Word is utterly trustworthy. Father, for Your people around the world who feel forgotten or who are desperately praying but have not yet seen Your answer, give them faith and strength to wait for Your perfect timing. For You will “do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to [Your] power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20) Tenderize my heart. I yield my disappointments and pain to You; You know and love me best. Lord heal all today and draw them closer to You this I ask all in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 42, the 18th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 42

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

The following narratives show that God used the famine to bring Israel nto Egypt under the rulership of Joseph. The nation would remain there some 400 years, as God had prophesied to Abram (Gen 15:13). So it briefly moves back to Canaan, where Jacob/Israel’s family (Jacob himself believing his son his dead) are suffering. Though Joseph’s brothers fail to recognize the newly elevated Joseph, he recognizes them. When they lament their situation in jail, it’s also apparent that they’ve come to regret their actions, as Joseph overhears. Joseph, bearing no grudge, sends all but Simeon home with abundance, but he does not yet reveal his identity to them.

JACOB SENDS HIS SONS TO EGYPT TO BUY FOOD (42:1-5):

Not long after the 7 year famine began, Jacob told his sons to go down to Egypt to buy food.

Ten of Jacob’s sons made the journey to Egypt.

Jacob did not send Benjamin, his youngest son, because he feared something would happen to him.

JOSEPH MEETS HIS BROTHERS IN EGYPT (42:6-17):

Joseph was governor of Egypt and everyone came to him to buy food.

Joseph’s brothers appeared before Joseph and bowed down to him.

He recognized them but his brothers didn’t recognize him. Recognizing his brothers, Joseph tested them by accusing them four times of being spies. His language, his dress, his official bearing, and his position did their part in disguising him. He was handling them roughly, but underneath his severity was affection, as the later reunion makes clear. Ironically the brothers were speaking to a person they thought was dead (v. 13). Their presence in Egypt confirmed the truth of his dreams, but not their fulfillment. Joseph knew that all the family must come to Egypt under his rulership.

After they bowed, Joseph remembered his dreams about the sheaves and the stars (37:1-11).

Joseph treated them roughly, questioned them, and accused them of being spies.

They told Joseph they were all sons of one man and had a brother back in Canaan. He demanded that one of them bring their little brother as proof that they were not spies.

Joseph put them in custody for 3 days.

JOSEPH SENDS HIS BROTHERS BACK TO CANAAN (42:18-25):

On the 3rd day, Joseph told the brothers to return to Canaan and bring back their youngest brother to prove they were telling the truth.

Joseph told them he was going to imprison one of them until the others returned.

The brothers suspected these things were happening to them because of their sin of selling their brother into slavery.

They said, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.”

They did not know that the governor, Joseph, understood their language. A taste of retribution began to awaken feelings in the brothers, feelings that Joseph’s cries for mercy (v. 21) and Jacob’s tears (37:34-35) had failed to awaken. They sensed that having to bring Benjamin back to Egypt against the wishes of their father would be punishment for their having sold Joseph.

Joseph imprisoned Simeon in Egypt before the other brothers returned to Canaan.

Joseph told his servants to fill his brother’s sacks with grain, but to put the money they used for payment back in their sacks.

THE JOURNEY HOME AND JACOB’S RESPONSE (42:26-38):

On their way home, the brothers discovered their money in their sacks.

They were afraid the governor would think they took the grain without paying. “What is this that God has done to us?”: This was a fruitful reaction to trouble. They apparently felt that Joseph would accuse them of theft, which would support his contention that they were spies.

When they reached home, they recounted their experience to Jacob.

They told him they needed to take Benjamin to Egypt, but Jacob would not allow it. It was necessary that the brothers be tested before they could participate in God’s blessing. Joseph’s prodding had to be subtle; the brothers must perceive the hand of God moving against them so that they would acknowledge their crime against Joseph and their previous unbelief in his dreams. But one test was not enough; there must be two.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Your sins will haunt you will haunt in the future.

Joseph’s brothers must have assumed everything bad that happened to them happened because of their hidden sin of selling their brother.

Certainly, the short satisfaction they got from the revenge on their brother wasn’t worth the cloud of guilt and anxiety that hung over them for the rest of their lives.

The decisions you make today impact your future peace.

You’ll never regret making the right decision, but you’ll certainly regret making the wrong one.?

I want to bring up yesterday’s chapter (40) for imagine this for instance when Joseph told the chief butler not to forget him, Joseph afterwards/immediately on saying that completely shifted his faith off Jehovah Jireh, the God of Abraham, Isaac and his father and started focusing that man, he started expecting to hear from the man, he started looking forward to a day and time the man would surface with olive branch in his hand coming for his rescue, his deliverance out of the prison custody. For the fact that he had shifted his focus from the Lord, the Lord had to extend the time he would spend in the prison custody until when Joseph took off his faith and focus from that man and placed it back on God. When Joseph returned his focus and faith in the Lord, that was when the Lord arose to help him, that was when his total deliverance come.

Now this idea could not be far from the truth, this is because many of us after we have prayed for a sister or brother in Christ. and we see that their lives have been visited by God, their lives have changed, instead of keeping on to trust God for assistance, breakthrough etc it is then we will be calling the person repeatedly, just to register our names etc in her/his mind…. If it were in the olden days when telephony and internet were still a mirage, many of us would walk for kilometres (miles) to get to the person’s house, some of us would travel kilometres (miles) to get to the houses/offices/shops/stores of that person…, and some have lost their lives making these trips…

We shift our focus off God and place it on those people, our faith has left the corridors of God’s presence and migrated to the corridors of those people whom we have at one time or another assisted. God on seeing this must stand aloof looking at what would be the outcome of his/her moves. We need to return our faith to God and forget those people… if God wanted to use them for us, he would touch their hearts for us.

When Joseph’s faith, focus and mind returned completely to God, God arose, shook the earth for his son’s sake and the deliverance was total, the glory was unto God alone and no one could share of the glory.

What happened when God arose? Someone may want to ask. This was what happened. The Lord caused the king to dream dreams. The dreams that the king dreamt he could not place their meanings anywhere, thus, he invited all the powerful people in the land, as well as those who were talented in interpreting dreams, but none of them could interpret the dream, a search had to be made for someone who will interpret the king’s dream even if the person had to come from other lands….

Few Lessons

1. We should not shift our focus and faith from God to those we have helped,

2. Our focus and faith should always be on God,

3. This does not mean we shall not phone them or greet them or visit them, but it means we should not rely on them as if they are God and as such limiting God as if He cannot use other persons

4. At times, it is God who allows people we have helped or prayed for to forget us and they are not our enemies

It will however interest you to know that God wants to help you, and in getting to help you, He wants you to come to the knowledge of His dear son, He wants you to accept Jesus into your life, for Jesus essentially is given to bring all mankind back unto God, if you can decide for Him today, how wonderful would that be? Leave procrastination and yield yourself totally to Jesus Christ today.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Father give me the grace to put my focus on You whole heartedly oh Lord give me now in Jesus’ name. Lord remove the bitter mind I have towards those I have helped, but who have forgotten me in Jesus’ name. Lord, may You even trouble the hearts of my divine helpers today for my sake in Jesus’ name. Lord let my life be productive in Jesus’ name. Lord let my talents start yielding products to me and to God in Jesus name. I declare that all demons/enemies preventing my divine helpers from assisting me should enter bondage now in Jesus’ name. Father let me have solutions to my generations’ problems in Jesus’ name. Lord may the person/s I will meet who will connect me to those at the top to achieve Your perfect will let me meet such persons in Jesus’ name. Lord if it be Your will to connect me to those at the top let it always only be for Your glory in Jesus’ name. Lord, I refuse to walk in lack as You have provided Me all that I need and may I walk in Your power in my life in Jesus’ name. Father, I refuse to limit Your power over the situation of my life in Jesus’ name.

Father, for Your people around the world who feel forgotten or who are desperately praying but have not yet seen Your answer, give them faith and strength to wait for Your perfect timing. For You will “do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to [Your] power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20) Tenderize my heart. I yield my disappointments and pain to You; You know and love me best. Lord heal all today and draw them closer to You this I ask all in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 43, the 19th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 43

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Eventually, another trip to Egypt can no longer be avoided, so Jacob’s family does everything they can to ensure a successful appeal to Egypt’s overseer (whom they still don’t know is Joseph). Judah’s willingness to bear a burden shows how he has matured as a character, becoming self-sacrificing instead of selfish.

JACOB RELENTS AND ALLOWS BENJAMIN TO GO TO EGYPT (43:1-14):

The famine in Canaan was severe and Jacob’s family was running out of food.

Jacob told his sons to return to Egypt to buy more food.

They told their father they couldn’t return unless Benjamin went with them, because the governor of Egypt (Joseph) demanded they bring him to prove they weren’t spies.

Judah told his father he would be responsible for Benjamin’s safety. Jacob was, of course, reluctant; his scolding (“why did you tell the man you had another brother?”) was an effort to escape the decision he dreaded to make. Yet he must release Benjamin so they could return to Egypt. Otherwise, they would all die from starvation

Jacob agreed to let Benjamin go. He told his sons to take a present of fruit, balm, honey, gum, myrrh, pistachios, and almonds to the governor of Egypt. Interestingly Judah was the one who had come up with the plan to sell Joseph to Egypt (37:26-27). Now he had to negotiate with his father to get Benjamin to see Joseph.

He told them to take double money to pay back the money they found in their sacks after their last visit.

JOSEPH’S BROTHER ARE INVITED TO HIS HOUSE (43:15-34):

The brother’s travelled to Egypt and were told to wait in Joseph’s house. Jacob resigned himself to the high risk involved in possibly losing a third son—first, Joseph; then Simeon; and now perhaps Benjamin too. Before sending his sons away, Jacob prayed that God Almighty (El Shaddai) might keep them and supply every need.

They feared they were going to be made into the governor’s servants, so they approached his steward and started explaining their situation and how they brought double money to pay for the grain they took on their last visit.

The steward of Joseph’s house told them not to worry, he already knew about the money and it was of no concern. A noon meal was prepared for Joseph’s 11 guests. When they presented their gifts to Joseph they bowed down before him in fulfillment of Joseph’s dream (37:7).

The steward brought them to Joseph’s house, washed their feet, gave them water, and cared for their donkeys.

At noon, Joseph arrived and greeted them.

They gave him the present from Jacob, and he inquired about their father’s health.

Joseph greeted Benjamin warmly but had to rush out of the room because he became emotional. Joseph, seeing his brother Benjamin, could not hold back his tears of joy. Benjamin, of course, was his full brother; the others were half-brothers. As before, when he talked with the 10 (42:24), he went aside and wept.

After returning, food was served. Joseph and the Egyptians ate separately because it was considered “an abomination” for Egyptians to eat with Hebrews.

The brothers were seated in order of their birth, which shocked them, and they were served food from Joseph’s table.

Benjamin received 5 times as much food as his other 10 brothers. At the dinner, Joseph demonstrated something ominous to them: the mysterious accuracy of the seating (from the firstborn to the youngest) would increase their uneasy sense of exposure.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

People change over time. Be anxious to observe new maturity in a person.

It is easy to write a person off because you had a bad experience with them, but over time, people grow, they mature, and they become more like Jesus.

It was Judah who proposed the idea of selling Joseph to the Ishmaelite slave traders back in Genesis 27:26, but in this chapter, we see him taking responsibility for the safety of Benjamin.

In the next chapter, we will see him volunteering to become Pharoah’s slave to allow Benjamin to return to his father in Canaan.

Judah was a very different man than he was 20 years earlier.

Let’s hope and pray people grow out of being the sinful person they were in the past.

If Jesus believes we can change, we should believe other people can change.

Few More Points to Note:

1. As Joseph cannot stand by king Pharaoh with prison clothes on, so can you and I not stand before God of heaven and earth with sins on,

2. When and where there is a will there is a way… The king wants meaning to his dreams, and he thus remove all barriers,

3. being advised to do something is not a mistake, but taking and yielding to advise has make us to be solely responsible for all actions taken,

4. When one’s time clicks everything will be falling into places,

5. The talent you and I profess to possess shall be tested before they will become source of income to us,

6. When you have slaughtered your character, you may not be able to bring it back to life again,

7. Wisdom of replying or answer questions is important,

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Father give me the power of self-control in Jesus’ name. Lord today as I repent you will remove the clothes of sins on me that make me worthy of your blessings now in Jesus’ name. The grace and strength to wait for Your time for me to shine, let Your will be done in Jesus’ name. Heavenly Command (Saviour Jesus Christ) please authorize (Saviour) my freedom from the worldly prisons that the enemies have placed me in today in Jesus’ name. Lord please do not let me fail when my talents are undergoing trials in Jesus’ name. Lord fill me with Your wisdom oh lord in Jesus’ name. Lord visit those who matter on my case in Jesus’ name. Father do not let the demons succeed on me as they did on Reuben in Jesus name!

Lord, please answer my prayers today that You would grant the desires of my heart according to Your perfect will. Help me to only delight myself in You Lord, and then You will give me the desires of your heart. Father, we know Your promises are true and Your promise is that as we read Your word and start to spend more time building a close relationship with You, we’ll grow in our faith and trust in You. Then at the right time, You will give us the desires of our heart when you are aligned with You will, and open the doors of blessings in our life.

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for your promises. May l be intentional daily to read your word and apply it in my life and may l have a daily and active prayer life. Grant me the desires of my heart and open doors for the things l need. I give you praise and honour. Thank you for hearing my prayer. Lord send the fire of the holy Spirit to hold back the demons tormenting our homes and minds, I command all demons of errors to get out of me in Jesus’ name! Father, for Your people around the world who feel forgotten or who are desperately praying but have not yet seen Your answer, give them faith and strength to wait for Your perfect timing. For You will “do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to [Your] power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20) Tenderize my heart. I yield my disappointments and pain to You; You know and love me best. Lord heal all today and draw them closer to You this I ask all in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 43, the 19th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 43

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

JACOB RELENTS AND ALLOWS BENJAMIN TO GO TO EGYPT (43:1-14):

The famine in Canaan was severe and Jacob’s family was running out of food.

Jacob told his sons to return to Egypt to buy more food.

They told their father they couldn’t return unless Benjamin went with them, because the governor of Egypt (Joseph) demanded they bring him to prove they weren’t spies.

He told them to take double money to pay back the money they found in their sacks after their last visit.

JOSEPH’S BROTHER ARE INVITED TO HIS HOUSE (43:15-34):

The steward brought them to Joseph’s house, washed their feet, gave them water, and cared for their donkeys.

At noon, Joseph arrived and greeted them.

They gave him the present from Jacob, and he inquired about their father’s health.

After returning, food was served. Joseph and the Egyptians ate separately because it was considered “an abomination” for Egyptians to eat with Hebrews.

The brothers were seated in order of their birth, which shocked them, and they were served food from Joseph’s table.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

People change over time. Be anxious to observe new maturity in a person.

It is easy to write a person off because you had a bad experience with them, but over time, people grow, they mature, and they become more like Jesus.

It was Judah who proposed the idea of selling Joseph to the Ishmaelite slave traders back in Genesis 27:26, but in this chapter, we see him taking responsibility for the safety of Benjamin.

In the next chapter, we will see him volunteering to become Pharoah’s slave to allow Benjamin to return to his father in Canaan.

Judah was a very different man than he was 20 years earlier.

Let’s hope and pray people grow out of being the sinful person they were in the past.

If Jesus believes we can change, we should believe other people can change.

Few More Points to Note:

1. As Joseph cannot stand by king Pharaoh with prison clothes on, so can you and I not stand before God of heaven and earth with sins on,

2. When and where there is a will there is a way… The king wants meaning to his dreams, and he thus remove all barriers,

3. being advised to do something is not a mistake, but taking and yielding to advise has make us to be solely responsible for all actions taken,

4. When one’s time clicks everything will be falling into places,

5. The talent you and I profess to possess shall be tested before they will become source of income to us,

6. When you have slaughtered your character, you may not be able to bring it back to life again,

7. Wisdom of replying or answer questions is important,

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Day 44, the 20th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 44

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Joseph once again sends his brothers homeward with abundance, but this time, he puts an elaborate plot in motion, planting a cup among their possessions so that the brothers will be waylaid once again. When the cup is found among Benjamin’s things, Judah (who’d promised Jacob to be responsible for whatever happened to the youngest) passionately pleads for him. Again, this shows how much Judah has grown.

JOSEPH’S SILVER CUP GOES MISSING (44:1-13):

Joseph told the steward of his house to fill his brother’s sacks with grain, but to secretly put his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. Joseph’s master stroke: He tested their concern for Benjamin in order to get them to recognize their evil. (If they had no compassion for this second son of Rachel, then they would have no part in the fulfillment of the promises. God could start over again and make Joseph into a great nation if the others proved unworthy.) The test involved the men’s silver in their sacks (as had been done on the first return trip) and placing Joseph’s own silver cup in Benjamin’s sack and then pursuing them to arrest Benjamin.

At first light on the next day, the brothers loaded their donkey’s and set out for Canaan.

When they had gone a short distance, Joseph sent his steward after his brothers and told him to confront them about stealing his cup.

The steward did as Joseph instructed and the brother’s denied stealing the cup.

They told him they would be the servants of Pharaoh if the cup was found.

The steward searched their bags, from the oldest to the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. When the steward caught up with them and accused them of theft, he deliberately created tension among them by opening the sack of the oldest first and ending with the youngest. He knew, of course, that the silver cup was in Benjamin’s sack. The sudden threat to Benjamin was like a sword thrust through their hearts (cf. Solomon’s plan, 1 Kgs 3:16-28). All the conditions were present for another betrayal when Benjamin was accused.

The brothers were distraught, tore their clothes, and turned their donkeys around to return to Egypt.

JUDAH OFFERS HIMSELF AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR BENJAMIN (44:14-34):

The brothers were brought to Joseph’s house and bowed before him. Yet this time their response shows how well the chastening had done its work. They tore their clothes in grief, a response which they had earlier caused their father to make over Joseph’s loss (Gen 37:34). The brothers returned and bowed again before Joseph. Joseph did not actually use divination in discovering their treachery (44:5, 15). He simply referred to it to enhance his brothers’ awe of him.

Joseph told them Benjamin must remain in Egypt and be his slave.

Judah approached Joseph and pleaded with him, explaining their situation, and their father’s love for Benjamin. Judah interceded for the boy; his lengthy plea to be imprisoned in place of Benjamin is among the finest and most moving of all petitions. It demonstrated his concern for his father who would surely die if Benjamin did not return with them.

Judah’s intercession was remarkable, one of the sublime utterances of literature: He offered no excuse, made no denial, but simply pled with the mighty Egyptian official for the life and freedom of Benjamin. Sir Walter Scott called this plea “the most complete pattern of genuine natural eloquence extant in any language.” The spirit of self-sacrifice, once so foreign to Judah, shone forth with rare beauty. By his references to his father’s suffering, Judah revealed himself as one now keenly aware of sacred values and relationships.

He told Joseph their father would die of heartbreak if they returned without Benjamin.

Judah asked if he could take Benjamin’s place and remain in Egypt as Joseph’s servant. Jacob and Joseph Compared. Both begin with the father being deceived and the brothers being treacherous (Gen 27; 37); both include a 20-year period of separation, with the younger brother in a foreign land. Jacob (31:38); Joseph—13 years in Potiphar’s house and prison from age 17 to age 30 (37:2; 41:46) after 7 years of abundance his brothers came to Egypt, (41:53-54; 42:1-2); both conclude with a reunion and reconciliation of the brothers (33:1-15; 45:1-15).

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

In Judah, we see a shadow of Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence Jesus was a descendant of Judah’s.

In Judah, we observe a sinful man who sacrificially offered himself as a substitute for his brother.

In Jesus, we observe a sinless man who sacrificially offered Himself for as a substitute for His brothers (Mark 3:34-35; Hebrews 2:11).

We will observe many other “shadows” of Jesus as we study the Old Testament.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Thank you for hearing my prayer. Lord send the fire of the holy Spirit to hold back the demons tormenting our homes and minds, I command all demons of errors to get out of me in Jesus’ name! Father, for Your people around the world who feel forgotten or who are desperately praying but have not yet seen Your answer, give them faith and strength to wait for Your perfect timing. For You will “do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to [Your] power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20) Tenderize my heart. I yield my disappointments and pain to You; You know and love me best. Lord heal all today and draw them closer to You this I ask all in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 45, the 21st of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 45

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Moved by his brother’s show of compassion, Joseph finally reveals who he is. He also reassures them that God had a purpose in the crime they committed against them. What’s more, Joseph not only wants their relationships to be restored; he also wants to care and provide for them, despite their past mistreatment of him. Joseph’s generosity and compassion reflect God’s character here: God has been kind to him, so he can afford to extend the same to his brothers.

JOSEPH REVEALS HIS IDENTITY TO HIS BROTHERS (45:1-8):

After hearing Judah’s offer to redeem his brother Benjamin from slavery (44:33), Joseph became emotional.

He told all the Egyptians in the room to leave and then revealed his identity to his brothers. “God did send me before you to preserve life”: He quickly took from their shoulders all the blame for an ugly deed, as he sought to interpret to them the plan and purpose of God. It was his way of centring their attention on the one supreme consideration: The providential purpose was more significant than any minor act of mortal man. That purpose involved preserving alive a remnant who could be used to work out the Lord’s will in the earth.

He asked them if his father was still alive, but they were too stunned to answer.

Joseph told his brothers not to be distressed because he believed it was God who sent him to Egypt to save innumerable people from the famine. He who is spiritual can perceive the hand of God in every event and therefore is able to forgive those who wrong him.

JOSEPH INVITES HIS FAMILY TO LIVE IN EGYPT (45:9-15):

There was still 5 years remaining in the 7-year famine (45:6) so Joseph told his brothers to bring their father and their families to live in Egypt. They could settle in the land of Goshen, which was about 40 miles from the site of present-day Cairo. [The district of Rameses (Gen 47:11; cf. Ex 1:11]. Situated in the delta of the Nile, this eastern section was the best of the land for herds and flocks. It was also near On and Memphis, where Joseph himself lived.

He invited them to live in the land of Goshen.

Joseph wept and talked with his brothers.

PHARAOH’S HOSPITALITY (45:16-20):

When Pharaoh’s house heard Joseph’s brothers had arrived, it pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. Finally, the brothers were reunited, first Joseph and Benjamin, then all of them. Those were emotion-filled moments, filled with weeping and then conversation. Their previous hatred and jealousy of Joseph was now gone.

Pharaoh gave the 11 brothers wagons to use in transporting their wives and children to Egypt.

He told them not to worry about their possessions because he would give them the best of Egypt.

JACOB’S SONS RETURN TO CANAAN WITH GIFTS AND GOOD NEWS (45:21-28):

Joseph gave each of his brothers a new pair of clothes before they left, but he gave Benjamin 300 shekels of silver and 5 changes of clothes.

He sent 20 donkeys laden with gifts to his father.

When Jacob’s sons arrived back in Canaan, they told their father Joseph was still alive and had become a ruler in Egypt.

Initially Jacob didn’t believe them.

But after talking to them further and seeing the wagons Pharaoh sent, the Bible says, “the spirit of their father Jacob revived.”

Jacob agreed to move to Egypt because he wanted to see Joseph before he died. This royal invitation to Jacob, the old patriarch near the end of hope, and to the 10 brothers burdened with guilt, was a turning point in their lives and a fulfillment of God’s prediction (15:13-16) that they would go into isolation in a foreign country and multiply without losing their identity. The coming days studies: Genesis 46, Jacob Journeys to Egypt; Genesis 47, Jacob’s Family Honoured; Genesis 48, Ephraim & Manasseh Blessed.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

God is always at work, even when it looks like He is absent.

Looking back at his life, Joseph understood how God used his brother’s evil actions to bring about something good.

We need to understand that just because something bad happens to us doesn’t mean God is no longer directing our lives or that He’s abandoned us.

Our bad circumstances may only be the introduction to a story in which God works through us in incredible ways.

It’s also very encouraging and relieving to know God can take the sins we’ve committed against people in the past and turn them for good.

Joseph was able to forgive his brothers because he believed that God’s greater plan overruled their sin. Is there someone you need to forgive? Bring that person before the Lord in prayer. Forgiveness can be difficult to offer to someone who has wronged you. Sometimes, even becoming willing to forgive requires time and a work of God in your heart. Holding onto a grudge, replaying the wrong in your mind or rehearsing your payback can feel temporarily satisfying, but it robs you of the joy Jesus died to give you.

FURTHER QUESTIONS:

1) Contrast the details of the two dreams that Joseph interpreted while in prison.

2) What is the possible significance of the detail that the bread in the baker’s dream may have had “holes” in it?

3) How long did he have to wait after the butler was released?

4) Why do we suspect that Joseph had been held in the cistern for three days?

5) Compare the careers of Joseph and Daniel: similarities and differences.

6) Compare the narratives of Jacob and Joseph: similarities and differences.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

We praise You as the God of reconciliation! We deserved Your wrath, Lord. Christ broke down the wall that separated us from You. Walking with You is an indescribable privilege! 1 John 3:1 says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

Forgive us, Lord, when we promote divisiveness and desire payback in difficult relationships instead of reconciliation. Father, in many of our communities, hope for peace seems lost. Pour out Your powerful grace in my community; disarm hostility; overpower bitterness, unforgiveness and resentment. With the power of the Holy Spirit, help me lead the way.

Lord, allow me to bring hope and healing to dysfunction within my own family dynamics. For the hard things my family is facing, help me to trust You are using it for our good and You will triumph over pain. You will never fail me; You always keep Your Word – my security is in You alone.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for reconciling sinners to God. Thank you for going to the cross to make forgiveness possible for all those who have faith in You.

Make Your Church, O God, an agent of reconciliation. Holy Spirit, work in Your Church around the world to lead people that are alienated from God to know and love Him.

Oh Lord give me your cup of blessings in Jesus’ name. Oh Lord fill the cup of blessings you have given me with your blessings in Jesus Christ name. The grace to drink of the contents in the cup give me now in Jesus’ name. Oh Lord your cup in my hand do not allow the enemies to snatch it off my hand in Jesus’ name. Oh Lord your cup in my hand should not be broken in Jesus’ name.

Day 46, the 22nd of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 46

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Jacob’s relocation to Egypt is marked by remembrance of God’s goodness to him. God reiterates his promises to Jacob, including the intimate promise that Jacob will not die alone or alienated from his people. This suggests that the people of Israel as a whole will not be left helpless in a foreign land.

JACOB’S FAMILY MOVES TO EGYPT (46:1-7):

Israel (Jacob) went to Beersheba and offered sacrifices to God.

God appeared to him in a vision and told him not to be afraid to go down to Egypt.

God promised to bring his family safely to Egypt and, one day, to bring them out of the land as a great nation. The Lord reiterated the promise that He would make his family a great nation there in Egypt, and He also stated that He would bring that nation back again. God had told Isaac not to go to Egypt (26:2), but now He told Jacob to go. This vision, which comforted the patriarch, would also encourage the nation of Israel when Moses would exhort them to leave the land of Egypt and return to Canaan to receive God’s promises.

Jacob’s sons took their father, their wives, their children, and their possessions to Egypt on the wagons Pharaoh had provided.

RECORD OF JACOB’S FAMILY THAT MOVED TO EGYPT (46:8-27):

Verses 8-27 is a record of all the male descendant of Jacob’s who moved to Goshen with him.

Jacob’s sons and grandsons are listed by name:

Reuben’s sons: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi

Simeon’s sons: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul.

Levi’s sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari

Judah’s sons: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah (Perez and Zerah were the sons of Judah and Dinah).

Issachar’s sons: Tola, Puvah, Yob, and Shimron.

Zebulun’s sons: Sered, Elon, and Jahleel.

Gad’s sons: Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli.

Asher’s sons: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah.

Joseph’s sons: Manasseh and Ephraim

Benjamin’s sons: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.

Dan’s sons: Hushim

Naphtali’s sons: Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem.

(Verse) Reconciliation

(15) Leah’s children and grandchildren 33

(18) Zilpah’s children and grandchildren 16

(22) Rachel’s children and grandchildren 14

(25) Bilhah’s children and grandchildren 7

(15) Dinah + 1

(12) (Er and Onan died in Canaan)

(20) Joseph & his sons, already in Egypt - 5

(26) Those who went to Egypt with Jacob 66

(27) Joseph, Manasseh, Ephraim, Jacob + 4

(27) Jacob and his progeny in Egypt 70

“All the persons belonging to Jacob who came into Egypt, who were his descendants, not including Jacob’s sons’ wives, were sixty-six persons in all” (46:27). In verse 26 the number of descendants is 66, whereas the number in verse 27 is 70. The first number represents those who travelled with Jacob to Egypt, and the second number includes the children and grandchildren already in Egypt.

JOSEPH IS REUNITED WITH HIS FATHER (46:28-34):

When Joseph received news that his father was in Goshen, he prepared his chariot and went to meet him.

They had a happy reunion and wept together. Finally, after 22 years Joseph and Jacob were reunited. The last time Joseph saw his father was when Joseph was 17 (37:2)

Afterwards, Joseph represented his brothers before Pharaoh and told Pharaoh they were shepherds by occupation. Joseph encouraged them to stress before Pharaoh that they were cattle raisers, not sheepherders, because the Egyptians detested the latter. Joseph, as usual, was eager not to upset Egyptian custom and preference (cf. 41:14; 43:32). However, five of the brothers did not respond with the same diplomacy (47:3).

Joseph’s advocacy for them was important because the Egyptians didn’t traditionally like shepherds (46:34).

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

The characters mentioned in this chapter are very important to keep in memory.

Israel’s descendants were about to multiply exponentially over the next few centuries.

Israel’s 12 sons would become the heads of the tribes of Israel.

The nation of Israel is the centrepiece of the rest of the Old Testament story. Almost all of God’s work, that we read about in the Bible, centres around the descendants of Jacob’s 12 sons.

Remember how God promised to make Abraham and Isaac’s family into a great nation? This is the beginning of the fulfillment of that promise.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Lord Jesus, you came to heal our wounded and troubled hearts. I beg you to heal the torments that cause anxiety in my heart; I beg you, in a particular way, to heal all which are the cause of sin. I beg you to come into my life and heal me of the psychological harms that struck me in my early years and from the injuries that they caused throughout my life.

Lord Jesus, you know my burdens. I lay them all on your Good Shepherd's Heart. I beseech you & -by the merits of the great, open wounds in your heart & -to heal the small wounds that are in mine. Heal the pain of my memories, so that nothing that has happened to me will cause me to remain in pain and anguish, filled with anxiety. Heal, O Lord, all those wounds that have been the cause of all the evil that is rooted in my life. I want to forgive all those who have offended me. Look to those inner sores that make me unable to forgive. You who came to forgive the afflicted of heart, please, heal my own heart. Heal, my Lord Jesus, those intimate wounds that cause my physical illness. I offer you my heart. Accept it, Lord; purify it and give me the sentiments of your Divine Heart. Help me to be meek and humble. Heal me, O Lord, from the pain caused by the death of my loved ones, which is oppressing me. Grant me to regain peace and joy in the knowledge that you are the Resurrection and the Life. Make me an authentic witness to your Resurrection, your victory over sin and death, your living presence among us. Forgive us, Lord, when we promote divisiveness and desire payback in difficult relationships instead of reconciliation. Father, in many of our communities, hope for peace seems lost. Pour out Your powerful grace in my community; disarm hostility; overpower bitterness, unforgiveness and resentment. With the power of the Holy Spirit, help me lead the way. I yield my disappointments and pain to You; You know and love me best. Lord heal all today and draw them closer to You this I ask all in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 47, the 23rd of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 47

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Joseph’s family is blessed in Egypt as much as they’ve been in Canaan, God remaining faithful to them even in a foreign land—a comforting message for a Jewish audience that repeatedly faced exile. Before he dies, Jacob is even able to offer his benefactor Pharaoh a blessing.

JOSEPH PRESENTS HIS FATHER AND BROTHERS TO PHARAOH (47:1-12):

Joseph took 5 of his brothers and brought them before Pharaoh.

Pharaoh asked them their occupation and they told him they were shepherds.

They told him they wanted to live in Goshen because there were no pastures left in Canaan on account of the famine.

Pharaoh gave them permission to settle in the best of the land.

Then Joseph presented his father to Pharaoh and Jacob blessed him.

Jacob was 130 years old.

After meeting Pharaoh, Jacob’s family made their home in Goshen and Joseph provided them with food from his storehouses.

THE EGYPTIANS SELL THEIR LAND TO PHARAOH FOR FOOD (47:13-27):

The famine was very severe, and it wasn’t long before the citizens of Egypt and Canaan had given all their money to Joseph to buy food.

When they ran out of money, they went to Joseph and asked him to give them more food.

Joseph told them he would accept livestock as payment for food.

When they ran out of livestock, they went to Joseph again and asked him to give them food. In selling food to the people during the famine that was severe, Joseph accepted money and livestock (horses, sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys) as payment, and finally the entire land of Egypt itself (except the land of the priests).

Joseph told them he would sell them food in exchange for their land and their service to Pharaoh.

They agreed and Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh.

Joseph gave them seed to grow crops but required 1/5 of their harvest to be given to Pharaoh. Once the land belonged to Pharaoh, Joseph instructed the people to plant seed, which he gave them. His only stipulation was that Pharaoh must receive a fifth of all the produce. In a word, the people survived but they (except the priests) were in bondage to Pharaoh. [Joseph’s 20% tax is less than half of ours!]

JACOB’S BURIAL REQUEST (47:28-31):

Jacob’s family settled in Goshen and “gained possessions in it and were fruitful and multiplied greatly.”

When Jacob sensed the time of his death drawing near, he called Joseph and made him swear an oath not to bury his body in Egypt, but to bury it in Canaan.

Joseph swore the oath to his father.

Jacob lived 147 years. He lived in Egypt for 17 years. Jacob exhorted Joseph to swear that he would bury him where his fathers had been buried. He referred, of course, to the Cave of Machpelah which had been purchased by Abraham (Ch. 23). Jacob desired to be buried in the land that God had promised him. He never possessed the land; looks forward to resurrection.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

The Bible writers constantly remind us it is God who permits countries to flourish and prosper and God who humbles them and brings them low.

The story of Joseph, Pharaoh, and Egypt is a prime example.

Egypt became extremely wealthy during the 7-year famine, but the credit belonged to God.

Without God revealing the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream to Joseph, Egypt would have been just as destitute as all the other nations.

He blessed Egypt because He had a role for them to play in His story.

God is still providentially working among the countries of the world, blessing some with success and humbling others as His story continues.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father, I come into your holy presence by the blood of Jesus. I worship and honour You, and I ask that the Holy Spirit would have full control of this time and lead me in prayer. Surround me with your angels and protect me from all harm. Lord Jesus Christ, I look to you as my only Savior, Healer, and Deliverer. I believe that You are the Son of God and the only way to the Father. Thank You for coming in the flesh, dying on the cross for my sins, and rising again. I humble myself before you and recognize that it is your finished work that gives me access to salvation and deliverance.

Father God, I acknowledge that I have sinned against You and others. I come into the light, confessing my sins before You and holding nothing back. I especially confess___________________… I repent of all my sins with a desire to live a life pleasing to you. Purify my heart by the power of the blood of Jesus. Right now I receive your grace, forgiveness, and cleansing. I choose to freely forgive anyone who has ever sinned against me or hurt me in any way. Specifically, I forgive _________________… I release them to You and let go of all bitterness, anger, hatred, and resentment.

I completely sever myself from all contact that I have ever had with the occult, false religion, and false teaching. In particular, I totally renounce __________________… Lord Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross and becoming a curse, so that I could be redeemed from every curse and receive God’s blessing. Because of Your finished work, I ask you to set me free from every curse that is over my life. I renounce the sins of previous generations and break away from any generational curse that is over my life. Specifically, __________________… I also break any word curses that have ever been spoken over me. I repent of any sexual sin that I have committed and sever any ungodly soul ties that have been created. I set myself free from any unhealthy relationship or ungodly bond to another person. In particular, I break the tie with _________________… I declare that the blood of Jesus separates me from him/her. Father God, I align myself with You and want every area of my life to agree with Your Word. I submit myself to you God and take an active stand against Satan and every one of his demons. By the authority of Jesus’ name I speak to every evil spirit that has any influence in my life and I command you to get out. Go, in the name of Jesus! Lord Jesus, you came to heal our wounded and troubled hearts. I beg you to heal the torments that cause anxiety in my heart; I beg you, in a particular way, to heal all which are the cause of sin. I beg you to come into my life and heal me of the psychological harms that struck me in my early years and from the injuries that they caused throughout my life.

Lord Jesus, you know my burdens. I lay them all on your Good Shepherd's Heart. I beseech you & -by the merits of the great, open wounds in your heart & -to heal the small wounds that are in mine. Heal the pain of my memories, so that nothing that has happened to me will cause me to remain in pain and anguish, filled with anxiety. Heal, O Lord, all those wounds that have been the cause of all the evil that is rooted in my life. Look to those inner sores that make me unable to forgive. You who came to forgive the afflicted of heart, please, heal my own heart. Heal, my Lord Jesus, those intimate wounds that cause my physical illness. I offer you my heart. Accept it, Lord; purify it and give me the sentiments of your Heart. Help me to be meek and humble. Heal me, O Lord, from the pain caused by the death of my loved ones, which is oppressing me. Grant me to regain peace and joy in the knowledge that you are the Resurrection and the Life. Make me an authentic witness to your Resurrection, your victory over sin and death, your living presence among us. Forgive us, Lord, when we promote divisiveness and desire payback in difficult relationships instead of reconciliation. With the power of the Holy Spirit, help me lead the way. I yield my disappointments and pain to You; You know and love me best. Lord heal all today and draw them closer to You this I ask all in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 48, the 24th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 48

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

This scene poignantly recalls Jacob’s deception of his father, Isaac, when Isaac offered blessings to his sons. Jacob now focuses on God’s ability to fulfill promises and not on the human attempt to seize or manipulate those blessings. In an echo of Jacob and Esau, however, Joseph tries to orchestrate the blessing he wants his sons to get. But Jacob is familiar with this trick—he knows what he’s doing, prophesying that Ephraim, the younger, will become the ancestor of a mightier tribe.

JACOB ADOPTS JOSEPH’S TWO SONS AS HIS OWN (48:1-7):

Joseph was told his father was ill, so he took his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, and went to visit Jacob.

Jacob told Joseph how God had appeared to him in Canaan and promised to make him a great nation and to give his children Canaan as an inheritance.

Jacob told Joseph he was going to adopt Manasseh and Ephraim so they would be his sons and recipients of God’s promise. Jacob gave the birthright to Joseph by “adopting” Ephraim and Manasseh to the rank of his firstborn sons, thus giving a double portion to Joseph. They thus replaced Reuben and Simeon, Jacob’s first two sons, born to Leah (cf. 1 Chr 5:1-2). The recognition of Joseph’s sons would have an effect on the apportioning of the land of promise years later in the days of Joshua (Josh 16-17). [This provides for a total of 13 to choose from and permits various listings to omit one (for various reasons) and still have a list of “Twelve” Tribes.]

Rather than being Joseph’s sons, the two boys would be considered sons of Jacob and Rachel (Jacob’s wife who died giving birth to Benjamin).

JACOB (ISRAEL) BLESSES EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH (48:8-22):

Jacob was very old and he could not see very well.

He called Ephraim and Manasseh to him, kissed them, and embraced them.

Anticipating Jacob’s blessing, Joseph took his younger son Ephraim to Jacob’s left hand and his eldest son Manasseh to Jacob’s right hand. Out of Jacob’s long career, the Book of Hebrews selects this blessing of Joseph’s sons by the patriarch as his great act of faith (Heb 11:21). It was his reaching out for the continuation of God’s promise in the face of death. Ironically this is the very thing he had once accomplished by deception (Gen 27). Once more the blessing would be given to the younger, but this time there was not scheming or bitterness. It was an act of faith.

But Jacob crossed his arms and put his right hand on Ephraim and his right hand on Manasseh.

Joseph, thinking he had made a mistake, tried to correct his father.

But Jacob ensured him he hadn’t made a mistake; Ephraim would be greater than his brother even though he wasn’t the oldest.

Manasseh would become a people, but Ephraim would become a “multitude of nations.” For four consecutive generations this reversed pattern was followed: Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, Joseph over Reuben, and Ephraim over Manasseh. Years later Ephraim became a leading tribe in the Northern Kingdom, much superior to the tribe of Manasseh, as Jacob had predicted.

Jacob blessed Joseph and told him God would eventually take his family back to the land of Canaan.

As part of his inheritance, Jacob left Joseph a mountain slope he had taken from the Amorites in battle.

APPLICATION:

As Jacob’s family grows into a large nation, you’ll notice the “tribe of Joseph” is never mentioned.

Instead, you’ll read about the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.

This chapter explains the absence. Joseph’s family name was carried down through his sons who were adopted by his father.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

The Bible writers constantly remind us it is God who permits countries to flourish and prosper and God who humbles them and brings them low.

The story of Joseph, Pharaoh, and Egypt is a prime example.

Egypt became extremely wealthy during the 7-year famine, but the credit belonged to God.

Without God revealing the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream to Joseph, Egypt would have been just as destitute as all the other nations.

He blessed Egypt because He had a role for them to play in His story.

God is still providentially working among the countries of the world, blessing some with success and humbling others as His story continues.

God’s ways are not just different than our own, they are perfect. We approach life with limited understanding and a personal grid that distorts reality. God sees eternity and always seeks the highest good. He upholds His perfect character in everything He allows and accomplishes.” What are you facing that you cannot unravel or understand? Write it down and reflect on Joseph’s story as you think about your own situation. Ask God to allow you to see this situation through the reality of His intentional faithfulness.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

You are our perfect Heavenly Father! You are completely free of fault or defect and are the measure of all perfection. You are the ultimate source of every blessing – every good thing. James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Forgive us, Lord, when we use our own wisdom to direct our families, instead of seeking Your spiritual illumination and Your purposes and plans for our families. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for bringing purpose and security to our lives. We can run to You in confidence and without pretence. Thank you for lovingly withholding from us things that are not good for us and giving us exactly what we need.

You are a good Father who never fails us! Father, we lift up church leaders globally, who, like Joseph, are being asked to lead through very challenging times. Help them to trust Your wisdom and reveal the way You want them to go as they seek to accomplish Your greater good for the flocks they lead.

Lord, we lift up the leaders in our local churches, who choose to bless others as You have blessed them. Help them to continue to stand firmly on Your truth and fill them with unexpected joy. Bring songs of praise from their places of pain.

Lord, You are my Shepherd. You are faithful every day of my life. The life stage I am facing is difficult, but I choose to acknowledge Your presence and faithfulness. Fill me with Your Spirit to speak words of life and hope to my circle of influence.

Forgive us, Lord, when we promote divisiveness and desire payback in difficult relationships instead of reconciliation. With the power of the Holy Spirit, help me lead the way. I yield my disappointments and pain to You; You know and love me best. Lord heal all today and draw them closer to You this I ask all in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Day 48, the 24th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 48

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

JACOB ADOPTS JOSEPH’S TWO SONS AS HIS OWN (48:1-7):

Joseph was told his father was ill, so he took his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, and went to visit Jacob.

Jacob told Joseph how God had appeared to him in Canaan and promised to make him a great nation and to give his children Canaan as an inheritance.

Rather than being Joseph’s sons, the two boys would be considered sons of Jacob and Rachel (Jacob’s wife who died giving birth to Benjamin).

JACOB (ISRAEL) BLESSES EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH (48:8-22):

Jacob was very old and he could not see very well.

He called Ephraim and Manasseh to him, kissed them, and embraced them.

But Jacob crossed his arms and put his right hand on Ephraim and his right hand on Manasseh.

Joseph, thinking he had made a mistake, tried to correct his father.

But Jacob ensured him he hadn’t made a mistake; Ephraim would be greater than his brother even though he wasn’t the oldest.

Jacob blessed Joseph and told him God would eventually take his family back to the land of Canaan.

As part of his inheritance, Jacob left Joseph a mountain slope he had taken from the Amorites in battle.

APPLICATION:

As Jacob’s family grows into a large nation, you’ll notice the “tribe of Joseph” is never mentioned.

Instead, you’ll read about the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.

This chapter explains the absence. Joseph’s family name was carried down through his sons who were adopted by his father.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

The Bible writers constantly remind us it is God who permits countries to flourish and prosper and God who humbles them and brings them low.

The story of Joseph, Pharaoh, and Egypt is a prime example.

Egypt became extremely wealthy during the 7-year famine, but the credit belonged to God.

Without God revealing the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream to Joseph, Egypt would have been just as destitute as all the other nations.

He blessed Egypt because He had a role for them to play in His story.

God is still providentially working among the countries of the world, blessing some with success and humbling others as His story continues.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Day 49, the 25th of May 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 49

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Jacob is honoured according to Egyptian burial customs, but Pharaoh also honours his wishes to be buried in Canaan. His esteem for Joseph is reflected in the way Pharaoh facilitates this burial journey. Jacob has stood as a kind of buffer between Joseph and the rest of his sons. Now that Jacob has died, the brothers fear that Joseph might finally get his revenge. Movingly, they offer themselves as slaves to the brother they’d enslaved. But Joseph concisely sums up God’s intention throughout his enslavement, and indeed throughout the history of his people: God brings about good where human beings intend harm.

THE BLESSING AND PROPHECY OF JACOB (ISRAEL) (49:1-28):

Jacob gathered his sons to prophecy over them before his death. Patriarchal blessings: (Cf. Gen 27:26-29; Gen 49:1-28; and later Moses will do likewise, Cf. Deut 33.) The words of a dying father to his sons were considered to be an irrevocable testament, acceptable as decisive evidence in court cases. Beyond any legal recognition, these patriarchal blessings also had the supernatural aspect of the spirit of prophecy, whereby these men of God spoke what was divinely revealed to them.

Below is a summary of the prophecies given to each son and their future families. Some of the prophecies contain figurative language and metaphors.

Reuben – He was Jacob’s firstborn, but he would not be the greatest of his brothers because he slept with his father’s wife (35:22). Jacob heaped praise upon Reuben, his firstborn, but this collapsed when he announced that Reuben had defiled his father’s couch, clearly a reference to Reuben’s adultery with Jacob’s concubine Bilhah (35:22). Reuben was entitled to leadership and a double inheritance, but because he had the ungoverned impulse of boiling water (turbulent as the waters) he would fail in leadership. In the time of the Judges (Judg 5:15-16), the tribe of Reuben was characterized by irresolution. “Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.” (Deut 33:6)

Reuben name is connected with the phrase, “the Lord has looked upon my affliction.” He is noted for his incestuous act with Bilhah, his father’s concubine (Gen 35:22). It was Reuben who advised his brothers not to kill Joseph, and returned to the pit to release him (Gen 37:21, 29). Reuben’s forfeited birthright given to Joseph (1 Chr 5:1,2). The tribe of Reuben was involved in the rebellion in the wilderness (Num 16:1).

By-Pass of Firstborn: Seth – Cain; Shem – Japheth; Isaac – Ishmael; Jacob– Esau; Judah, Joseph – Reuben; Moses – Aaron; David – All his brothers.

Reuban forfeited his natural rights: His place as the favored first-born was given to Joseph. His privileges as priest were to pass to the sons of Levi. His right to be the head of the tribes of Israel, i.e., his kingly right, would go to Judah.

“Unstable as water, thou shall not excel, have pre-eminence” (Gen 49:4). Reuban’s tribe, as not aiming to excel, unfortunately chose a settlement on the other side Jordan. Prophecy of Moses: “Let not his men be few” (Deut 33:6): 1st numbering, 46,500 (Num 1:21); 2nd numbering, 43,730 (Num 26:7); most others increased. No judge, prophet, nor prince is found of that tribe.

Levi and Simeon – They were angry and violent men (Gen 34). Jacob cursed their anger and told them their families would be scattered.

Levi’s name is linked with the root, “to join.” He avenged the seduction of Dinah (Gen 34; 49:5-7). His zeal against idolatry was a cause of the tribe’s priestly appointment (Ex 32:26-28; Deut 33:9,10; Mal 2:4,5). This tribe was exempt from enrolment for military duty (Num 1:47-54, with 1 Chr 12:26) and subordinate to the sons of Aaron (Num 3:9; 8:19; 18:6). They were teachers of the law (Deut 33:10; 2 Chr 17:8,9; 30:22; 35:3) and were judges (Deut 17:9; 1 Chr 23:4; 26:29; 2 Chr 19:8-11). They guarded the king’s person and house in times of danger (2 Kgs 11:5-9; 2 Chr 23:5-7).

Now Simeon is the second son of Jacob by Leah (Gen 29:33) and is associated with Levi in the terrible act of vengeance against Hamor and the Shechemites (Gen 34:25,26). He was detained by Joseph in Egypt as a hostage (Gen 42:24). His father, when dying, pronounced a malediction against him; to be “divided and scattered” (Gen 49:5-7): decreased in the wilderness by 2/3 (Num 1:23 26:14 ); dwindled in number; sank into insignificance. Moses pronounces no blessing on this tribe. They didn’t lose their identity: e.g., 13 Simeonite princes in days of Hezekiah (1 Chr 4:34-38).

Judah – Judah’s brothers would praise him, and he would conquer his enemies. “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.

Judah’s name means “praised,” root ydh, “to praise” (Gen 49:8). He Intercedes for Joseph’s life when brethren were about to slay him; proposes sale to the Ishmaelites (Gen 37:26,27). He has incest with Tamar, his daughter-in-law (Gen 38:12-26). His tribe is loyal to the house of David at the time of the revolt of the ten tribes (1 Kgs 12:20); led first division of Israel in their journeys (Num 10:14); commissioned of God to lead in the conquest of the promised land (Judg 1:1-3; 4-21) and made David king (2 Sam 2:1-11; 5:4,5).

The term “scepter” refers to their tribal identity and the right to apply and enforce Mosaic Laws and adjudicate capital offenses: jus gladii. It is significant that even during their 70-year Babylonian captivity (606-537 B.C.) the tribes retained their tribal identity [Josh MacDowell, Evidence that Demands a Verdict, pp. 108-168.] They retained their own logistics, judges, etc. (Ezek 1:5,8) The term “Shiloh” was understood by the early rabbis and Talmudic authorities as referring to the Messiah. (Targum Onkelos, Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, and Targum Yerusahlmi, The Messiah: An Aramaic Interpretation; The Messianic Exegesis of the Targum, Samson H. Levy, Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion, Cincinnati, 1974.)

[The Hebrew word Shiloh should be rendered “whose it is,” that is, the scepter will not depart from Judah until He comes to whom it belongs.]

Zebulun – He would dwell by the sea and be a safe harbor for ships. Zebulun would be enriched by seaborne trade, between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean (though it did not actually border the Mediterranean; cf. Josh 19:10-11). In area of Galilee, to the north of Issachar and south of Asher and Naphtali, between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean (Jos 19:10-16), according to ancient prophecy was to enjoy a large share of our Lord’s public ministry (Isa 9:1,2 Mt 4:12-16).

Issachar – His family would be like a strong donkey who served in forced labour. The word hòamor gerem, literally, bony ass, designates a powerful beast of burden that submits himself to the galling yoke without complaint in order that he may be free to lie quietly in ease and comfort. Issachar, located in the fertile broad pleasant plain of Esdraelon, was often subject to invading armies. Jacob was predicting that the tribe of Issachar would submit to the Canaanite invader, who would fasten the yoke upon them. Instead of fighting, the men of this tribe would submissively allow themselves to become slaves of the peoples of the land. They would prefer shame and slavery to courageous action. Issachar was Jacob’s 9th son, by Leah, sekhari, “my hire” (Gen 30:18). The prophetic blessing pronounced by Jacob corresponds with that of Moses (Gen 49:14,15; Deut 33:18,19); only Judah and Dan were stronger (64,300, Num 26:25 to 87,000, 1 Chr 7:5). Issachar got the richest portion: Jezreel Valley (1Chr 12:40).

Dan – His family would judge the tribes of Israel. The tribe of Dan would be like a viper in the road that bites at horse’s heels. Dan shows another disparity between calling and achievement (cf. vv. 3-4). Dan was to provide justice (“Dan” means “judge”), but the tribe chose treachery, like a snake by the roadside. Hebrew nahòash signifies not only a snake in the grass, but a venomous reptile with deadly fangs. In the time of the Judges the first major practice of idolatry appeared in the tribe of Dan (Judg 18:30). In 931 B.C. Jeroboam set up a golden calf in Dan to provide opportunity for pagan worship. The omission of Dan in Rev 7 is commonly attributed to this.

This tribe was the first to fall into idolatry (Judg 18:30); slighted in genealogies: names of his sons omitted (Gen 46:23; Num 26:42); name blotted out (1 Chr 1-10; Rev 7); mentioned last (Num 10:25; Jos 19:47-49; 1 Chr 27:16-22)

Deuteronomy 33:19-21 “They shall call the peoples to the mountain; There they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness; For they shall partake of the abundance of the seas And of treasures hidden in the sand.” 20 And of Gad he said: “Blessed is he who enlarges Gad; He dwells as a lion, And tears the arm and the crown of his head. 21 He provided the first part for himself, Because a lawgiver’s portion was reserved there. He came with the heads of the people; He administered the justice of the Lord, And His judgments with Israel.”

Gad – He would be raided but would raid at his enemies’ heels. Three of the six Hebrew words in verse 19 are a play on the name Gad (“attack”): Gad will be attacked by a raid of attackers,but he will attack. The verb gadad means “to break into” or “to attack.” Border raids were often experienced by the tribes settled east of the Jordan River (1 Chr 5:18-19).

Gad was Jacob’s 7th son, by Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid and the full brother of Asher (Gen 30:11-13;46:16,18). His name means “fortune; luck.” This tribe was fierce and warlike; they were “strong men of might, men of war for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, their faces the faces of lions, and like roes upon the mountains for swiftness” (1Chr 12:8 5:19-22). Elijah was of this tribe (1Kgs 17:1).

Asher – His food would be rich and he would have royal delicacies. Asher would be fertile and productive, providing rich food. That tribe settled along the rich northern coast of Canaan: Mt. Lebanon to Mediterranean (Josh 19:24-31). “Royal Dainties” = workmen and materials: to David (2 Sam 5:11) and Solomon (1 Kgs 5:1-10). This tribe kept Passover under Hezekiah (in contrast to others); 2 Chr 30:1,10,11 and to this tribe belonged the prophetess Anna (Lk 2:36).

Naphtali – His family would be like a doe who bore beautiful fawns. Naphtali, like a doe, would be a free mountain people. Deborah sang of the people of Naphtali risking their lives “on the heights of the field” (Judg 5:18). That tribe settled northwest of the Sea of Kinnereth (Galilee) He was the 5th son of Jacob, the 2nd born to him by Rachel’s handmaid, Bilhah. He was full brother of Dan (Gen 30:7). At his birth Rachel is said to have exclaimed, “wrestlings of God”—i.e., “mighty wrestlings”—”have I wrestled.”

Joseph – He would be like a fruitful tree. His enemies tried to destroy him but God preserved him. Joseph was set apart from his brothers and was to receive the “blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that crouches beneath, [and] blessings of the breasts and of the womb.” Jacob bestowed on Joseph the greater blessings because he was the prince among his brothers (cf. 41:41). His name means “may he (God) add sons” (Gen 30:24). He was the firstborn of Rachel, Jacob’s loved wife; favored, despised, sold, exalted (Gen 37-50) cf. over 100 ways a “type” of Christ.

Benjamin – He was to be a ravenous wolf, devouring prey in the morning and dividing spoil in the evening. The youngest son of Jacob, called “son of the right hand” by his father. The old English word ravin means “to prey with rapacity.” It speaks of fierce cruelty, which describes a tribe violent in spirit: a ravenous, devouring wolf (cf. the cruel Benjamites in Judg 20, and Saul, a Benjamite, in 1 Sam 9:1-2; 19:10; 22:17). Notable heroes include: Ehud, who delivered Israel from the Moabites; Saul, the first king (& Jonathan); Queen Esther; and the Apostle Paul. The tribe earned a high reputation for bravery and skill in war, and was noted for its slingers with their traditional left-handed action (Judg 3:15).

These we’re the blessings Jacob gave to his sons, who were to become the 12 tribes of Israel.

JACOB’S DEATH AND BURIAL (49:29-33):

Jacob knew the time of his death was approaching, so he asked his sons to bury him in the cave of Machpelah where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah were buried.

When Jacob finished speaking, he laid down in bed and passed away. Joseph lives for 110 years, seeing several generations of offspring. Before he died, he tells his brothers that God will surely bring them up from this land to the land he’d promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He makes the Israelites swear to carry his bones to Canaan “when God comes to you.” Then Joseph dies; he is embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

You are the soil from which a family tree is going to grow. What kind of soil, what kind of foundation, what kind of base, are you providing for the future health of that tree?

We want to better ourselves, not just for our personal salvation and Christlikeness, but to infuse Jesus into the upbringing of our descendants.

The richer our soil, the healthier (spiritually speaking) our families will be.

Vice versa, if we fail to cultivate the soil of our lives with the presence of Jesus, future generations will suffer the consequences of having to grow up in less-than-ideal conditions.

Isaiah 55:11 says, “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Write down some ways God has met you through the study of Genesis. What is one thing God is calling you to do with what you have learned?

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

What You declare, God, will happen. You accomplish Your purpose in Your perfect ways and timing. You are the God who formed the earth, walked with Abraham and sustained Joseph – and You are the God who walks with us today.

Forgive us, Lord, when we clamour for instant solutions to our problems and try to figure out our future on our own. You understand what we do not. You have revealed what we need to know to face the future with faith and not fear.

Thank you, Father, for the book of Genesis. We marvel at this book of beginnings. Thank you for showing us Your tender redemptive love for the people You created, even in their fallenness.

Father, we pray for revival in our world today! Call many people of all different races, nationalities and walks of life to live by faith in You – to experience the joy of a restored relationship with You through the work of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

God, You have lovingly invested in us this year through Your Word. Allow us to speak the truth with boldness within the hurting places of our families, churches and communities. Make our words count for You!

Lord, give me Your perspective and peace; use even my sinful choices for Your glory. I will trust You with my unanswered questions and my trials; I will trust Your purpose is prevailing in my story! With the power of the Holy Spirit, help me lead the way. I yield my disappointments and pain to You; You know and love me best. Lord heal all today and draw them closer to You this I ask all in Jesus' name, AMEN.

30 Comments

Prayergyrl

Jun 01

Brother Robert, very grateful 🙏 for your leadership in these.prayers and fastings...trusting that the Lord orders my steps in His Word...at a much needed time , on a much narrow path. The Lord is Perfect and True in all His Ways. Abba, continue to Teach us in all your Holy ways and grant 🙌 🙏 Bro Clancy Favor and Great Grace as he goes on tours and your

purposes be accomplished in Jesus Mighty Name 🙌

FeronaWilliams

May 28

Today is my final day of this fast and I can testify to open door or employment and new address and deliverance from affliction. What a blessing to have been apart of this fast and ministry during this time. God we glorify you for all that you are doing in Jesus name. Bless pastor Robert Clancy and is family for his commitment to be used by you Oh lord to lead this flock. In Jesus name Amen.

Michelle Pryor

May 26

49 days are ended what a beautiful book of Genesis from the creation 7days , first parents Adan & Eve, Abraham & Sarah Rebekak & Isaac, Jacob & Rachel and the 12 tribes blessings given to each one of them….Jesus thank you for an incredible journey of worship,spiritual warfare and after all trusting in You God wholeheartedly. Remain with me Lord as I continue to look up to Him wholeheartedly deserves my worship my life my all . Thank you Jesus amen

Zameka Sijadu

Thank you Servant of God for allowing God to use you in this manner. I don't think I would have been able to study the word of God as I did during this fast. I am eternally grateful, I am now looking for more prayer programs in your website that are going to take me through the word as this has done. God bless you more as you continue to sow the seeds of repentance revival throughout the world 🌎 🙏 ❤️

Sandy Payne

This fast has truly blessed me and God showed me that I need to get back to a place of greater intimacy with him. Though just diagnosed with a rare form of stage four cancer which they say is incurable God showed me as I kept my focus on him my relationship of prayer, worship and Bible reading began to return. I wanted this more than anything and when I changed my focus I felt and desired to be in that once intimate and trusting place with God. I’m so thankful and grateful for this moment; hallelujah 🙌🏽. May God continue to bless you Pastor Clancy. 🙏🏽He sent his word and healed me. I feel confident in my spirit man…

Hyacinth Desrochers

May 27

Replying to

Hi sandy,

Please get familiar with Pastor Clancy's Playlists of these Powerful Healing Prayers . Receive believe and claim by faith. Listen to Jesus in these Powerful Prayers all things are possible for God.

There is power in God and His healing in these Powerful Prayers. I will pray for you. and may the Healing Hands of God touch YOU. God never made us to sick. Amen! for your kinds words in the Mighty Name of Jesus.